Kraus 25.1, Africa (1597)

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Title

Africa

Cartographer

Rughesi, Fausto

Subject

Africa--Maps

Publisher

Rughesi, Fausto

Repository

Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center

Place of publication or creation

Rome

Date(s)

1597

Format

Printed map

Kraus catalog no.

25.1

Dimensions in mm.

530 x 685 mm.

Rights

No known U.S. copyright restrictions. Please cite the Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin, as the image source.

Notes

An engraved map, consisting of two joined sheets; with watermark of a kneeling figure with a halo, holding a cross (similar to Briquet 7628). From the Hauslab-Liechtenstein Collection.

Fausto Rughesi, a native of Montepulicano, is best known as Roman architect, his major work being the façade of the Chiesa Nuova (Santa Maria in Vallicella), of 1605. His cartographic activity seems to be limited to five maps which he did in 1597 for Vicenzo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua (1587-1612).

The three maps present here (25.1-3) bear Rughesi's dedication to Gonzaga in a cartouche at the upper left, and the Gonzaga arms on the upper right. Their cartographic excellence is matched by the highly artistic execution, featuring beautiful Renaissance cartouches with title and text and sea monsters, ships, etc. enlivening the oceans.

While no definite direct source to these maps can be established, it is evident that Rughesi used the most up-to-date information then available in the maps by Ortelius, Gastaldi, De Jode, etc., as well as in Portuguese portolans.

Rughesi's maps are unknown to most bibliographers because of their excessive rarity. Only one set of the maps has survived which is now in the Vatican Library. The Vatican copies, however, are badly damaged, whereas the present maps are, with the exception of some very minor and insignificant repairs, in excellent condition.